Fun in the Sun - Keeping cool in the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool

July 28, 2014

There's no doubt about it: It has been one hot, humid, sticky-icky summer! Temperatures have stayed right around the mid-90s (felt like higher), and the humidity has been right up around there, too. Luckily for the Southwest Florida community, they can keep pool by visiting the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool, 2600 Oak St., with extended summer hours to prevent heat exhaustion and encourage some cooled-down fun in the sun.

Enjoy going down the two-story-high water slide, shooting hoops from the pool's cool basketball court, or just enjoy swimming around the huge 25-yard lanes. Children can enjoy the kiddie pool, featuring fun waterworks, fountains and waterfalls.

Lifeguard for seven years and patrolling the Fort Myers Beach pool for the last two summers, Dakota Heinkel says she's noticed more families enjoying the pool's facilities this summer, with seemingly more campers last. "It's nice seeing so many families coming to the pool to have fun and enjoy the facilities," she said.

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The Fort Myers Beach Community Pool offers something refreshing for everyone – from swim classes and family movie nights to two-story slides and in-pool basketball games. Above, family and friends Jennifer Ryder and 11-month-old Logan, Ashley and Mackenzie Puebla with 7-year-old Landon and mom Debra Brown travel from Arcadia regularly to enjoy the pool’s facilities. Also pictured, Kiwanian Kim Southworth (left) is a regular pool patron and happy to see many utilizing the swim classes offered. Photo by MELISSA SCHNEIDER

Lifeguard Dakota Heinkel keeps a close, watchful eye on the swimmers and water-sliders in the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool. Photo by MELISSA SCHNEIDER.

In fact, the community pool's facilities are so intriguing, many families travel from other towns to enjoy its refreshing comforts. The Ryder, Puebla and Brown family makes the trip out from Arcadia together to enjoy the Fort Myers Beach pool and beach on a regular basis in summer.

Swim classes are offered regularly for swimmers of all age ranges. Always wanting to help make a difference and lend a helping hand, since the Beach Pool opened 12 years ago, our local Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis organization covers $20 each for all swim classes offered at the pool. So, although a cost might technically be $40 per person or child, with Kiwanis' contribution, the cost is only $20.

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"We want to encourage children and parents to take as many classes as they can. That way, maybe instead of not taking the class, they will or better yet rather than just attend one class, they will attend more," said Kim Southworth, Kiwanian for seven years and active member of the Beach Pool. "Last year, we happily donated $2,000 to the pool to cover swim class costs."

There is no limit to how often you utilize that special donation, nor an age limit.

"We want everyone to learn how to swim especially when they're young, to prevent accidents, and encourage everyone to take swim classes to be safe in the water," said Linda Chambers, fellow Kiwanian and manager of the Kiwanis Thrift Shop on Summerlin and Pine Ridge. "The money we generate at our thrift shop, through sales and donations, is what helps us help our community and cover those swim lesson costs. In the process, we have happily been the recipient of the statewide G. Harold Martin Award, promoting children's swim safety, for many years."

Aside from swim and classes and clinics, the pool is proud to offer special summer events throughout the next several weeks. Flick and Float kicks off Friday, where families can gather in the pool in the evening to unwind and watch "The LEGO?Movie." Another fun event coming up is Teen/Tween Night Friday, Aug. 29 (read on for details on both of those special nights).

Flick and Float

What is better than spending a Friday evening with the family watching a movie? How about watching the movie under the stars floating on the water?! The Beach Pool's Flick and Float movie night allows you to do just that. Come out and enjoy an evening of entertainment with the family paying only the normal admission fee to the pool. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie will start at dusk.

The next Flick and Float evening will be Friday, July 25, playing "The LEGO Movie." The cost is $4.50 for adults, $2.50 for children.

Teen/Tween Night

Hey, teens and tweens! Enjoy an evening at the pool with all of your friends during the pool's Teen/Tween Fun Night for patrons ages 12 to 17, enjoying a discounted rate after it officially closes.

The next Teen/Tween Night is Friday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a cost of $2.50 per person.

FMB Swim Club

The FMB Swim Club is structured to introduce and refine swimmer skills and abilities as they progress from the Learn to Swim program to competition ready. The program focuses on stroke development and increasing stamina. The swim club is available to children 8 years old and up and offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 9 a.m.

The cost to attend is $40 for members per calendar year and $60 for non-members.

Water Aerobics

Water Aerobics consists of large rhythmic movements done in the water to increase your heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness. The resistance of water adds toning and strengthening to major muscle groups. While the water decreases impact to the joints, there is bouncing and jumping in the class.

It's offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9 to 10 a.m. and costs $4 for members, $5 for non-members.

Senior Swim Sundays

Seniors can enjoy a morning at the pool all to themselves. On Senior Swim Sundays, seniors can use the lap pool before the pool actually opens Sunday mornings at a discounted rate. Patrons 50 years old and up are encouraged to come in and enjoy this time from 10 a.m. to noon for $2.50 for non-members.

Not including special classes or events, normal hours to the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Full restroom facilities are on site, as well as lockers, safety vests and drinks from the snack bar. There is certainly something for everyone at the Fort Myers Beach Pool! General admission prices are $4.50 for adults, $2.50 for children 11 and under. For further information on the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool or to become a member, call 239-463-5759 or visit FortMyersBeachFl.gov.